title: Cationic, two-coordinate gold π complexes.
abstract: Cationic, two-coordinate gold π complexes that contain a phosphine or N-heterocyclic supporting ligand have attracted considerable attention recently owing to the potential relevance of these species as intermediates in the gold-catalyzed functionalization of C-C multiple bonds. Although neutral two-coordinate gold π complexes have been known for over 40 years, examples of the cationic two-coordinate gold(I) π complexes germane to catalysis remained undocumented prior to 2006. This situation has changed dramatically in recent years and well-defined examples of two-coordinate, cationic gold π complexes containing alkene, alkyne, diene, allene, and enol ether ligands have been documented. This Minireview highlights this recent work with a focus on the structure, bonding, and ligand exchange behavior of these complexes.
authors.affiliation: French Family Science Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0346 (USA).
authors.forename: Rachel E M
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Brooner
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Widenhoefer
keywords: alkene ligands; allenes; gold; ligand effects; structure elucidation